To quote Melissa Etheridge, ain’t it heavy? For some perspective on recent assaults on LGBTQ+ rights brought by the Trump administration, turning to a gay icon with decades of experience in resilience and unity is always worthwhile. Enter Etheridge, who tells me she’s not quite the grandmother she once imagined herself becoming — though, in […] The post ‘Be the Example’: Melissa Etheridge’s Guide to Joy, Resilience and Unity appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

If, as Detroit Opera artistic director Yuval Sharon writes, “rebirth is opera’s true power,” then he embodies that potential, continually reshaping the art form to be more inclusive, innovative and dynamic. At the helm of Detroit Opera, Sharon has revitalized the traditional, in part an effort to make opera accessible and resonant for a wider […] The post Rebirth in Action: How Internationally Renowned Opera Futurist Yuval Sharon Is Transforming the Art Form appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

When Eurovision Song Contest 2024, the high-camp international singing competition, crowned Nemo as its winner last year, it signified more than a musical triumph — it was a groundbreaking moment for representation. Since then, the nonbinary artist, celebrated for their theatrical performances and unapologetic authenticity, has become a powerful symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility. Switzerland’s winning […] The post Nemo’s Big Year appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

A first-of-its-kind adult trans choir in the city, the Transcendent Choir of Philadelphia, was established this year, and the choir is now up and running with performances. Maya Kociba, artistic director and co-founder of the choir, shared that they identified this gap when they moved to Philadelphia. They were not alone in this thought. In […] The post Transcendent Choir of Philadelphia brings inclusive harmony to the city appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

Drag performer Moon Baby is taking on the gargantuan task of lifting everybody’s holiday spirits with the 10th anniversary performance of their drag cabaret, “Christmas on the Moon, Baby,” on Dec. 22 at Johnny Brenda’s.  Moon Baby started their career as a folk singer in Pittsburgh before making a name for themselves as a drag […] The post Moon Baby celebrates a decade of their holiday drag cabaret appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

The LGBTQ+ community has always been fortunate in that it has had—and still has—a large number of artists whose work has helped document the community’s history. Our city is particularly fortunate to have Philadelphia native songwriter Tom Wilson Weinberg, whose musical career of more than 50 years has told very personal stories of LGBTQ+ life […] The post Tom Wilson Weinberg tells a history in music of a love lasting decades appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

On Oct. 6, 1998, a 21-year-old gay man, Matthew Shepard, was beaten, tortured and crucified on a fence outside Laramie, Wyoming. When he was found, he was in a coma and died six days later. Shepard’s assailants were subsequently convicted of his murder and seated to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The […] The post ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ comes to the Mann appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

When George Michael died on Dec. 25, 2016, at the age of 52, the world lost a truly remarkable musical talent, but he left a rich legacy of immensely popular music. On Sept. 19, 2024, that music will be the tool to evoke the spirit of George Michael at Philadelphia’s Miller Theater titled, appropriately enough, […] The post ‘The Life and Music of George Michael’ visits Philly appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

The music of disco, pop and style icon, Donna Summer, continues to live on around the world on concert stages thanks to singer and performer, Rainere Martin. Martin has spent the last decade plus touring cruise ships, festivals, casinos and corporate events around the globe performing her Forever Donna tribute show. Sadly, Donna Summer went […] The post Donna Summer tribute singer Raniere Martin to ‘Feel Love’ on the concert stage appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more

The Indigo Girls — Emily Saliers and Amy Ray — are having a moment. Since the release of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” movie in the summer of 2023, in which the queer duo’s “Closer To Fine” was heard repeatedly, to today, when they are prominently featured in Tom Gustafson’s “Glitter & Doom” and Alexandria Bombach’s doc […] The post Glitter and Life: an interview with Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls appeared first on Philadelphia Gay News ..read more